Even more availability issues than previous weeks, saw some 2s stalwarts elevated to the giddy heights of Premier Division cricket with the 1st Team. So the 2nd team had a retro look about it. A group of older, sorry, experienced, players, then a big age gap to the youngsters. "Who is this bloke Rhino?" wondered some of the young boys. They soon realised that he was related to stand-in skipper Stuart, as he hugged his brother & was told "Open the bowling, after that you can open the batting with me."
DQ & Chris opened the bowling with an excellent first few overs, restricting Stock to very few runs & were unlucky not to get a break through. Stuart continued the Skipper's tradition of dropping 2 catches. DQ became frustrated at not getting a wicket & tried a bit too hard & lost his line a bit. Stock did start to play with a bit more confidence & scored a few boundaries. But, Chris did what he always did & bowled the ball at the wickets. Funnily enough, this works & 3 batsmen missed the ball. 10 overs, 3-30.
Mini Chairman came on to bowl a decent spell, apart from one over of gifts to a lower order batsman, who couldn't believe his luck as he smashed a few boundaries into the hedges. A couple of wickets for James, with help from Dan Allen, who kept wicket really well. George took over at the other end. A few weeks ago George bowled superbly, at Rainham, for no wickets. Today, 3-8 in 3 overs. However, not his best bowling would be a kind description. Ethan finished the innings off, as Stuart finally caught one.
Tea - very good effort by the opposition, snaffled up by some of the experienced bellies within the team.
So, chasing 115 confidence was high. A short while later at 20-4, confidence was low & we thought that Rob's absence would be significant. The Pearson family reunion lasted 8 balls, as Stuart was bowled. Chris walked across his stumps & was given LBW, Danny was bowled & Harry was deceived by a slower delivery. All 4 wickets to the Stock opening bowler, for very few runs. John & Dicko took a measured approach, only needing 3 per over it was important not to lose more wickets. John did not play with his usual haste & actually defended a few balls. Running between the wickets was entertaining as Dicko & John started to tease Stock with an overthrow & a couple of cheeky singles. Dicko was caught in the deep, thinking his new bat had the same middle as the old one. It doesn't! John & Dan Allen then started to take the game to the opposition, with quick running (Dan) & much bat spinning (John). Stock took umbrage at this & began to be a little upset, much to the batsmen's amusement. John reached 50, having previously avoided this milestone in other games. Dan began to accelerate & the game moved completely in Totham's favour after Stock's opening bowler finished his spell. John fell, so Dan & DQ saw the game out for a victory enabling an early finish.
Next week sees St.Andrew's visit the 2s at Braxted
